Tolstoy

I have not read the 200+ posts here, and this is my first time speaking about this issue, but I just want to say that I think this Eichel situation is absurd. How in heaven's name can the Sabres possibly expect to get full value for a player whose health is in question?? (To be fair, I am not sure Adams is under any delusion about this.) And as the poster here says it, what team would make this trade for Eichel?? (Again, given the lack of movement, I am not sure that any other teams are under any delusion about this either.). No wonder no trade has happened. The Sabres and Eichel have only one path forward in the immediate future--together. For now, at least, they are stuck with each other. They should sit down in a room and accept that fact, and ask--how can we move forward for now? Answer-- (1) let's come to an agreement on the medical procedure; (2) let's get Jack to full health; (3) let's get him on the ice producing at his near MVP clip, (4) then and only then, if we still want to part ways, we discuss it then. Who knows, maybe there is a shift in attitudes and Jack wants to stick around; otherwise, this is ludicrous. Am I wrong about this?

At this point I put my best forwards on one line and try to get their confidence back. Eichel, Hall, and whomever. Nobody is producing points.

Not that it hasn't been said before, but the goaltending is killing this team.

I get your point, but all of this assumes that our young players remain at their current level. If and when Eichel, Mittelstadt, Dahlin, et al. really start to develop into elite players, they lift the whole team. Everyone looks better. Any BTW, I think what is being forgotten here is what is hopefully a huge upgrade at the goalie position. Lehner did not help the team last year.

My two cents: The Sabres were worst in the NHL last year. Everybody should be expendable except Eichel an Mittelstadt. . Don't forget that ROR was the ostensible leader on that team, given his ages, status, and experience. Well, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. His leadership failed miserably. He disappeared for games at a time, and his attitude got old. While I don't love any of the players we got in return, they are at least NHL quality. The team needed an overhaul. Might as well embrace change.

This is not a big deal, but I am just curious: The Buffalo-Toronto trade that happened yesterday is reported in the following manner: JUNE 23: Toronto Maple Leafs acquire No. 156 pick in 2018 NHL Draft from Buffalo Sabres for sixth-round pick in 2019 NHL Draft. What I don't understand is why you would trade the first pick of round six this year for what is almost definitely a later pick in round six next year? One wouldn't do such a thing straight up in the same year, much less for a future pick (all things equal, future picks have less value then present picks). There must be more to this than meets the eye, such as: -There was another formal piece of the trade that was not reported. -There was an informal handshake, wink-wink aspect of the trade not reported (wonder what that would be...) -Next year's draft is considered to be so far ahead of this years draft that next year's round 6 player is guaranteed to be better than anything we could get in round six this year, even though it would be a later pick. -No one really cares about a round six player much at all. They are all long shots to begin with when it comes to ever seeing NHL ice time. Or am I missing something here?

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock!!! Haven't heard that in years. Well-said.

We need veteran defensive help? Nkulin is the answer. http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/report-team-russia-captain-defenseman-ilya-nikulin-leaving-khl-for-nhl/

According to one writer, at least. See here: http://thehockeywriters.com/the-nhls-top-30-prospects-post-draft-part-3/ Reinhart is 5 and Eichel 2. The future looks good for us!

Well, i am glad everyone agrees! Just to remind you, I was NOT proposing this trade (thanks shrader!), so don't shoot the messenger. Sheesh.

This possible trade is proposed on the Hockey Writers site: http://thehockeywriters.com/the-leafs-most-logical-trade-partner-the-sabres/ Would you make the trade? I don't think I would, mainly because I would have a hard time parting with Reinhart. The kid is billed to be a future #1 center.

My own amateur opinion: There will be tremendous pressure on Brazil: anything less than world cup champions will be seen as a failure. I don't think the team has the leadership, character, and composure to deal with that pressure, so I predict a loss in the quarterfinals or semifinals. I am probably wrong, but that is my hunch. Spain will be tough, but I think their time has passed. Their core is four years older, with some (Pujols) retired. I think they too will lose in the quarters or semifinals. Germany will be very tough. They are my pick to win it all. They have an excellent coach, and a veteran core. However, they do have injury questions (Lahm, Sweinsteiger, etc.). If the injuries are an issue, it could prevent them from even advancing out of the group stage. They are in a very tough group. My dark horse team? France. They went home with their tails between their legs in 2010. They are talented and hungry. Second dark horse? Argentina. They are talented and due. So, my choices: #1 Germany, #2 France, #3 Argentina, #4 Brazil

After reading through all of the mystery surrounding Lafontaine's departure, I suddenly had an idea: What if Patty made a serious mistake (which even good people do from time to time), something so serious that an immediate termination was warranted. Moreover, because the error was so egregious and embarrassing, either Lafontaine, the Sabres, or both parties, desired a confidentiality agreement signed in order to protect all parties. What kind of mistake would warrant this? What kind of mistake would warrant immediate termination, and a mutual muzzling of all parties? A possibility: an affair with another man's wife in the organization. Once discovered, Patty would want it hushed to protect his reputation, if not his marriage. The organization would want it hushed to protect itself from having its name tarnished. And the other man would want to protect his name, as well as perhaps that of his wife. Just a shot in the dark, but it seems plausible to me.